Saturday, January 06, 2007

Perhaps a bit of Premature Jubilation

“It was a deep political intuition, and the war succeeded because when Baghdad collapsed, everything else went. It was I think at the root of the success was a deep political understanding. And the larger impression is that it showed that we have the capacity to wage this kind of war with relatively few casualties, both among combatants on the allied side and among civilians on the other side. And that I think has had a deep impression in the region and around the world. The only people in the world who still think that--who question whether or not we won in Iraq are Upper West Side liberals who aren't quite sure that we won the Cold War either—“-Charles Krauthammer- (Speaking at AEI meeting)April 22, 2003

That's from 2003, wonder if he'd say the same thing today. Looks like somebody bought into that whole "Mission Accomplished" crap hook, line and sinker. Funny that his impression seems to be that the war is over. -- signed, a South Austin Texas liberal.

me? i am upper west side... of the west coast.there has always been a core group of citizens vehemently opposed to the war in iraq. i wasn't supportive of the afghanistan invasion, either.it's just that now, more people finally get what a lot of folks got FROM THE START. that this is a sham, a lie, and a violent mistake.what continues to bug me is that anyone believed it was ever the right thing to do. the group mind is a frightening thing. so sheep-like.(pardon my blathering)

These political gurus, professional smart guys whom are adored so much by so many of us usually will become causualties of their own words if you give them time. This reminds me about a chimp (not that one) who was given an investment portfolio to take care of for a year. He was set against a bunch of financial consultants to see who will get the best performance. The chimp (not that one) scored way above the average.

Perhaps the only thing more contemptible than Krauthammer and his fellow travelers' ill-founded jubilation then is their complete lack of remorse now. Instead of expressing regret for the fiasco they enabled, they're busily spinning narratives to explain why it's not their fault.

The two most popular are that Bush bungled the execution of a fabulous idea or that the Iraqis are hopelessly violent brutes who trample the fruits of liberty we so generously offered. Krauthammer's most recent column takes up the latter line:

We should not be surging American troops in defense of such a government. This governing coalition -- Maliki's Dawa, Abdul Aziz al-Hakim's Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq and Sadr's Mahdi Army -- seems intent on crushing the Sunnis at all costs. Maliki should be made to know that if he insists on having this sectarian war, he can well have it without us.

Welcome to the ranks of the disenchanted, Mr. Krauthammer. Glad you're on the side of right regarding the "surge." But screw you for spending the last six years waving pom-poms for the Shrub. You helped create the situation. A little humility is in order.

I don't think Krauthammer and his ilk have learned their lesson at all, because if you asked them if we should attack Iran, you'll find they're all for that. Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.

Why listen indeed. It could be that even tho we know they're wrong - they, through a deeply flawed administration, hold the reins of the military, and will do whatever they want (in our name) for the next two years regardless of what we want or know.

These people cannot admit they were and are wrong since it will destroy the whole foundation of their world picture and how they see themselves. It takes courage to admit that you are wrong and that is an attribute these people have absolutely none of.